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Rielly waiting for word on NHL’s return

April 3, 2020, 9:37 AM ET [459 Comments]
Mike Augello
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Morgan Rielly’s 2019-20 season has been an ordeal. The Leafs blueliner has gone goalless since late October, battled nagging injuries, inconsistent play, a notable undressing by Connor McDavid, and a two month absence recovering from a foot injury. Rielly finally returned to the lineup on March 10 for Toronto’s 2-1 victory over Tampa Bay and then the league suspended play due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"That was a really long process of trying to heal and trying to keep yourself in shape during the injury (with) a broken foot. Eight weeks go by, you're really working hard to get back and then to come back and play one game, it's certainly not ideal.” Rielly said in a conference call on Thursday. “In that same breath, I think that if I hadn't came back and played one game and I still you know hadn't played (since) January 12, I think that would make it worse."

The 26-year-old is in his hometown of Vancouver, spending time with girlfriend Tessa Virtue, watching movies, cooking at home and like most of the world, waiting to see what lies ahead.



"There's no escaping (what's going on in the world right now). It's a strange time for everyone and it's been challenging at times for coping, but I know that we're all experiencing that." Rielly said. "You have to keep in mind that we're all in it together and nobody is really prepared to do the quarantine experience. This much alone time and downtime, but for me personally I've just been trying to keep in touch with teammates, friends and family and do some home workouts."

The NHL extended their recommended self-isolation for players until April 15, and based on the current and differing social distancing policies throughout North America, there is no set plan for when the league can resume play. There continues to be speculation that the Stanley Cup Playoffs could be held in July and August, but when, where, and how is something that is not in anyone’s control.

"Hockey players are creatures of habit. I think (how long we can wait is) what we're all kind of wondering right now. I can tell you that we have called as a team and as players around the league, and we can talk about those sorts of things. A point comes where it's not really in our control." Rielly said. "As players, we all want to play, and have a chance to play in the playoffs, but health comes first. We're kind of in a holding pattern a little bit, because we're trying to do what's best for for general health for people everywhere."

Toronto went 12-9-3 without Rielly in the lineup and were forced to rely more on youngsters Travis Dermott and Justin Holl than expected and promote rookies Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren sooner than they would’ve liked, but the longest tenured Leaf believes that the experience was good for them.

"If you look at those players, I think that for me it really jumps out that they can all skate. I think that helps and when I look back at my first couple years, I really had to rely on that. Those guys can all move very well and when you look at Travis (Dermott), Rasmus (Sandin), Timothy (Liljegren) and (Justin Holl) as well, they were all playing really good hockey up until the pause in the season and the most impressive and encouraging thing about that is that they improved massively over their time."

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